held up, in last pair, ridden over 2f out, hung left over 1f out, never a threat
tracked leaders, outpaced 3f out, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, towards rear, driven over 2f out, never able to challenge, ridden and weakened inside final furlong
mid-division, headway 3f out, chased leaders over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to dispute 4th inside final furlong, no impression with leaders
tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, kept on under pressure and every chance inside final furlong, held towards finish
led, headed 3f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, headway towards stands side over 1f out, ridden and staying on when carried right by winner inside final furlong, no impression in 3rd towards finish
tracked front pair, led 3f out, ridden and edged right towards stands side rail from over 1f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, held on well
held up, behind, headway 3f out, chased leaders over 2f out, ridden and effort towards far side over 1f out, kept on when hard pressed for 4th inside final furlong, no impression with leaders
held up, in last pair, outpaced 3f out, switched left and headway under pressure over 1f out, kept on, never troubled leaders
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace, weakened well inside final furlong
towards rear, outpaced 3f out, never able to challenge
Aidan O'Brien has won this four times in ten years and Highland Reel looks to have a much better chance than Sir Isaac Newton. The much travelled four-year-old, a Group 1 winner at Arlington, Sha Tin and in the King George at Ascot last month, is a very high class performer but was almost four lengths behind POSTPONED in the Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan in March. Last year's King George winner has remained unbeaten subsequently and looked in brilliant form when landing the Coronation Cup though the only downside is the setback that prevented him running in the Ascot feature and his lack of real form over this trip. Three-year-olds have won the last two and have a good overall record which makes the presence of Wings of Desire and Hawkbill intriguing. The former, an excellent fourth in the Derby, couldn't quite get to Highland Reel in the King George but is still progressing while Hawkbill just keeps getting better and the form of his brilliant victory over The Gurkha in the Eclipse has been greatly boosted by the runner-up in the Sussex Stakes.
Almodovar (IRE) 9-1 (9-1) Led, clear 2f out, pressed over 1f out, headed 1f out, kept on same pace in 3rd inside final furlong, no chance with leading duo but kept on for clear 3rd, 3rd of 9, 3 1/4l behind Dartmouth (9-1) at Ascot 1m 4f Grp 2 stks (1) gs in Jun.
Arab Spring (IRE) 9-4 (9-3) In touch, ridden 2f out, switched right approaching final furlong, kept on well, 3rd of 6, 1 1/4l behind Royal Artillery (8-8) at Haydock 1m 2f Grp 3 stks (1) gf in Aug.
Dariyan (FR) (9-9) last of 5, 4 3/4l behind Vadamos (9-7) at Maisons-Laffitte 1m Grp 3 stks gd in Jul.
Exospheric 4-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders, effort over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 7, 3l behind Big Orange (9-2) at Newmarket 1m 4f Grp 2 stks (1) gf in Jul.
Highland Reel (IRE) 13-8fav (9-7) Made all, clear 8f out until given breather 5f out, pushed along and went for home over 2f out, driven over 1f out, stayed on strongly, unchallenged, won at Ascot 1m 4f Grp 1 stks (1) gf in Jul beating Wings of Desire (8-9) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
King Bolete (IRE) 7-1 (9-9) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, lost place over 1f out, weakened, 10th of 14, 11 1/4l behind Elidor (9-10) at Goodwood 1m 6f hcp stks (2) gf in Jul.
Mutakayyef 7-2fav (9-1) Tracked leaders in close 5th, ridden and quickened to lead over 1f out, ran on strongly and well in command final 100 yards, won at Ascot 1m Grp 2 stks (1) gf in Jul beating Dutch Connection (9-1) by 2 1/4l, 10 ran.
Postponed (IRE) 8-11fav (9-0) Took keen hold, tracked leading pair, went 2nd travelling well inside final 3f, led over 1f out, quickened clear inside final furlong, eased close home, easily, won at Epsom 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) gs in Jun beating Found (8-11) by 4 1/2l, 8 ran.
Sir Isaac Newton 14-1 (9-7) Steadied start, took keen hold, held up in 5th, went 4th after 3f, 3rd briefly 3f out, ridden and not quicken inside final 2f, went modest 4th close home, 4th of 7, 4 1/2l behind Highland Reel (9-7) at Ascot 1m 4f Grp 1 stks (1) gf in Jul.
The Grey Gatsby (IRE) 11-4fav (9-2) Steadied start, held up well off the pace in rear, smooth headway over 2f out, chased winner inside final furlong, nearest finish, 2nd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Big Orange (9-2) at Newmarket 1m 4f Grp 2 stks (1) gf in Jul.
Hawkbill (USA) 6-1 (8-10) Tracked leader, led travelling well over 2f out, ridden and strongly pressed final furlong, stayed on gamely to assert final 100 yards, won at Sandown 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) sft in Jul beating The Gurkha (8-10) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Wings of Desire 4-1 (8-9) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd after 3f, closed on winner 5f out, who went clear 8f out, pushed along traveling well 2f out, ridden and unable to quicken over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong but never able to challenge, 2nd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Highland Reel (9-7) at Ascot 1m 4f Grp 1 stks (1) gf in Jul.
My Dream Boat (IRE) 6-1 (9-7) Held up, off the pace in last pair, plugged on in modest 5th final furlong, never going pace to threaten, 5th of 7, 5 1/4l behind Hawkbill (8-10) at Sandown 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) sft in Jul.
